guilty to punching and kicking his wife.

Llewellyn David Smith, 40, was arrested on May 24 after Police were called to his house by his wife.

Smith pleaded guilty to assaulting his wife, Shirley Dill Smith, and the court heard that he punched her in the face and kicked her in the stomach causing bruising to both areas.

Smith also pleaded guilty to damaging a telephone after hitting his wife on the back of the neck with it while she was on the phone to the Police.

Two other charges relating to damaging property and threatening behaviour were dropped.

The court heard that the incident occurred at approximately 3 p.m. after Smith's wife arrived home from work and the couple started arguing about the hours she worked.

When Police arrived, they asked Smith if he had hit his wife, and he responded: "Yeah I hit her and I'll hit her again too.'' When Police arrested him, Smith told them: "Take me, I want to go.'' He then spent four nights in prison before appearing before Acting Senior Magistrate Edward King.

Mr. King asked him to explain his actions and he said he was sorry for what happened and that on the day in question, he was a bit preoccupied.

Mr. King told him that he needed to control his anger and said that if necessary he had to turn both cheeks.

Smith started to explain the state of his marriage but was stopped by Mr. King who said: "We don't want to hear whether the laundry is dirty or clean.'' Smith said his actions were out of character and that all he wanted was to move out of his house and get away from his wife and son.

He also said that he has never been a menace to society.

The court heard that Smith had one previous conviction in 1997 when he was fined $400 for threatening his wife and Mr. King asked: "Why shouldn't I lock you up?'' Smith replied: "I don't need to be locked up as I have responsibilities,'' adding that he supported his wife and son.

Mr. King fined Smith a total of $1,100 and asked how soon he could pay it.

"I can pay as soon as you let me out,'' he replied.

Smith was given until 2.30 p.m. to pay or face 120 days in prison in default.